DVMs to help set guidelines for Pa. dog law

Harrisburg, Pa.— A newly formed nine-member Canine Health Board — made up of veterinarians from the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, as well as Republican and Democratic legislative leaders — has just 45 days to establish guidelines for the recently passed Pennsylvania dog law. The board, appointed by Gov. Ed Rendell, was proposed as a last-minute compromise to ensure passage of the controversial bill in the Senate.

Board members will craft temporary guidelines for commercial kennels, setting standards for temperature, ventilation and lighting.

The dog law also requires semi-annual veterinary care, larger cage sizes, outdoor exercise and the elimination of cage stacking.

Rendell's appointments include Board Chairwoman Jennifer Muller of Philadelphia and Dr. Karen Overall of Glen Mills, a research associate in neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.

He also appointed Bryan Langlois, medical director for the Humane League of Lancaster County, which treats sick and injured dogs seized from kennels.

Other members of the Canine Health Board are Dr. Colin Harvey of the university's veterinary school, Ramsi P. Chaudhari, John Simms, Amy Hinton, Larry R. Bason and Patricia Thomson.